Letter: I Agree With Bob McShee About Chapel Street

Published on: 10 Aug, 2018
Updated on: 10 Aug, 2018

From Howard Smith

former Labour parliamentary candidate for Guildford

In response to: Save the Money Earmarked for Chapel Street and Erect a Statue of ‘Mr Guildford’

I find myself in complete agreement with Bob McShee on both points he makes here.

For six years I ran a small business in Chapel Street and it is one of the loveliest streets in the town. I too think the character of the street would be lost if it was radically updated.

We really don’t need to “Disney-fy” our heritage.

I would add that I think it would be a very good idea if the road is closed off to traffic both day and night. It’s quite possible for delivery drivers to park briefly at either end for the shops to take delivery of stock.

In the evening it becomes a rat-run for takeaway drivers (cars and bikes) and you can risk your life coming out of one of the restaurants in the evening. Furthermore, I would hope that it may encourage the various cafes and restaurants there to make more use of the outdoor space.

And of course, I would very much welcome seeing the commitment given last year being fulfilled, and having a statue to Bill Bellerby, “Mr Guildford” in a prominent position somewhere in the town centre.